Betws-y-Coed

Betws-y-Coed is the picture-book stone village at the eastern gateway to Eryri (Snowdonia), sitting where three river valleys meet amid the trees of the Gwydir Forest. It is small but perfectly placed — a cluster of outdoor shops, cafés, inns and the famous Swallow Falls just up the road — and it makes a characterful, central base for exploring the whole national park.

From here, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and its classic routes, the wild Glyderau and Carneddau ranges, and the rugged cwms of Ogwen are all within a short drive. Unlike busier Llanberis on Snowdon's flank, Betws-y-Coed keeps you slightly out of the fray while still central to everything, with the forest, rivers and waterfalls on the doorstep for gentler days.

There is no skiing in Eryri — this is walking, scrambling and mountain-biking country. What Betws-y-Coed offers is charm, greenery and access to some of the finest and most varied mountain terrain in Britain, at friendly Welsh prices.

Spring to autumn is best for the high mountains, with the longest days and firmest paths in summer — though Snowdonia is one of the wettest corners of Britain, so waterproofs are non-negotiable year-round. Autumn is beautiful in the surrounding forest. Winter transforms the high ridges of Snowdon and the Glyderau into a serious arena needing winter skills and kit.

Betws-y-Coed is on the A5 and has its own station on the Conwy Valley Line, making it reachable by train via Llandudno Junction on the North Wales coast. By car it is about 90 minutes from Manchester or Liverpool airports. A car is handy for reaching the Ogwen and Snowdon trailheads, though the village itself is walkable and well-served.